stuff i tell my sister

From the Outside

Posted on May 6, 2013 by stuffitellmysister

Another Sunday drive through downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. The buildings always catch my eye. This was what stood out to me on this particular day.
I couldn’t help but wonder who lived on the other side of these upstairs windows. Were they watching me as well?

I was quickly distracted by the beauty of a line of trees. “Stop the car if you can”, I said. Hubby pulled over. I had to study what was before me. There were beautiful flowering blooms mixed with tender new green leaves. How could I have missed seeing this combo for all these years?!?! These were mature trees, and they were changing seasons right before our eyes!

Then came to mind a question someone had asked me recently. “So what do you do?” An innocent enough question, right? But it caught me off guard and I’m not even certain what response fell out of my mouth. “What do I do” was like asking “Who are you?” or “What do you wanna be when you grow up?” “Have you done anything with purpose?” “Are you important?”

So back to this tree. It was like looking at myself from the outside. Coming and going at the same time, but it was on a path. No explanation necessary. Smile.

Resolve

Posted in photos, ponderings, Ramblings, Reflections, spring, Tulsa. Oklahoma | Tagged Changing seasons, Defensive, Destination, downtown, Intimidation, nature, old windows, rainbow, Resolve, Sunday, trees, Who am I | 30 Comments

Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?

Posted on May 4, 2013 by stuffitellmysister

Part of our fun last week included an evening of music. Hubby surprised me with tickets to see Little Big Town. It was a sold out show, our seats rocked, and they did not disappoint! The most moving moment of the concert for me was when the lights dropped, and with a cappella voices, the group began to sing “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes”. The crowd was reverently quiet at first, then we all joined in singing this tribute to George Jones. ~~Who is gonna fill his shoes?~~

Little Big Town

We left the concert and stopped in at Toby Keith’s for a bit of nourishment. There was a young man singing on their small stage and we had the opportunity to visit with him between sets. Jason Young was from my hubby’s home town and had personality deluxe. His music was spirited with a strong message and super voice. ~~Who’s gonna fill their shoes?~~

Jason Young

On our way out of the building, we were pleased to see that our local lineman, Thomas Martinez, drew a large crowd as he performed on high stage. ~~Who’s gonna fill their shoes?~~

On our drive home, we reflected on our music filled evening. And as the song continued to play in my mind, I came to the conclusion that shoes may not be meant to be filled by another. But rather to just walk closely next to….while remembering~

Have a wonderful weekend, friends. Be good to each other ♥

Posted in Music, Musicians, Reflections, Tulsa. Oklahoma | Tagged celebrities, Classic country, Country music, entertainment, George Jones, Gonna Fill Their Shoes, Jason Young, Little Big Town, Thomas Martinez, Toby Keith, Who's gonna fill their shoes | 30 Comments

Just Stuff

Posted on May 3, 2013 by stuffitellmysister

It is Friday and I am still not finished with my “list” for the week. Still, I thought I would pause for a moment and share a few pics with you from last week. ….They reflect a part our life in Oklahoma. 😉

We decided to get out of the house and do a short road trip to our favorite greasy spoon about an hour away. We got sidetracked a bit. Do you ever do repeats of things knowing that it will be a waste of time but still hoping it might just be better the next time around? Yep…that’s what we did. I saw that the flags were up at the little country station on Route 66. Every so often they have an outdoor flea market. We have never found a thing there. Plus it was cold this particular day AND it had been raining. But still, we stopped. And we left, laughing….asking ourselves again why we’d stopped?!

The Flea Market

Wanna know the rest of the story???? By the time we got to our restaurant, Dennis, the owner, was pulling out. They were closed. We missed it. Happy Birthday to me? But not to worry. We drove back home…..and ended up have a delightful evening with wonderful servers, Janessa and Ashley. A great day all the way around! Happy b-day, indeed.

Janessa

Stay tuned for more fun adventures! I’m sure you can hardly wait! 😉 Happy Weekend, friends ♥

Posted in Food, Oklahoma, photos, Reflections, Relationships, spring | Tagged Flea market, Greasy spoon, Just stuff, Not again, Oklahoma, route 66 | 28 Comments

Pretend You Didn’t See Me

Posted on May 1, 2013 by stuffitellmysister

Happy May Day! I recall my mom telling us stories about May Day when she was growing up. Maypoles and ribbons…..hiding little woven baskets on doorsteps and hurrying away before you were caught. When our boys were young, they loved this “sneaky” little celebration. Ringing a doorbell….running….NOT getting in trouble for it?!?! 😉 If you have children in your lives, teach this tradition. Maybe they will teach their children? Kindness is appreciated and so needed in this world. And not just on May Day. ♥ Let’s spread the love ~

Got caught on this one!

Didn’t get caught on this one 😉

These are for you, my bloggy friends! Picked from my own little flowerbed. But pretend like you didn’t see me ~

Posted in Flower Photos, Friendships, Reflections, Relationships, spring, Uncategorized | Tagged doorbell, kindness, May Day, Maypole, spreading the love, surprises, Traditions, Woven baskets | 28 Comments

How to Ruin A Perfectly Good Day

Posted on April 30, 2013 by stuffitellmysister

Happy Birthday
Paula!
Your friends at D & V Dentistry wish you a very happy birthday. We hope that you have a wonderful day and look forward to seeing you again soon.

See you soon, ~~THIS IS THE PART THAT SENT ME INTO A PANIC!~~

D & V Dentistry

Have a great day, friends. And be nice to people. You never know what they may be dealing with today. ♥ Maybe even a dental appointment? 😉

Posted in Health care, Humor, Medical | Tagged Birthday, dentist, Fear of Dentist, Happy BIrthday, How to Ruin a Perfectly Good Day | 32 Comments

You Make Me a Better Person ~

Posted on April 25, 2013 by stuffitellmysister

The last time I blogged, I was hiding in my room from clouds of grout dust. (Vacation?) Since then it’s been go~ clean~ move~ go~ and “have you seen??…..” The father-son craftsmen that put our floor down were a breath of fresh air. An unbelievable work ethic. Amazing.

Before ~

Waiting over night for leveling to dry

I wonder who will find this one day?

Underlayment

After

After…After…

While not everything is put back together, the big job is finished. We are pleased. And now we will spend these last few days of this week seeking out a little fun and relaxation. I’ll let you know if we find it!

Today I thought of each of you….I thought of what I say to you at least once a week. I had to remind myself to practice what I preach. “Be Nice to People. You Never Know What They May Be Dealing With.” Thanks guys….you make me a better person. Have a wonderful rest of the week, friends.

Happy Birthday to Me 🙂

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Be better, Be Nice to People, floors, Happy Birthday to Me, new floors, We need a Vacation, Work ethic, You Make Me A Better Person | 62 Comments

Vacation?

Posted on April 22, 2013 by stuffitellmysister

Happy Birthday to ME! Nope….today is not my birthday. ~~yes you DO still have time to send me that birthday money!~~ 😉 But it is my birthday week. Hubby always takes the week off for my birthday and we take a road trip. This year we decided to do something a wee bit different. We are getting new floors put down. I am a prisoner feeling a bit claustrophobic this morning, trapped in my room with towels stuffed underneath the closed-door. The dust is flying from grinder. It will be all good when it’s done though. ~~I keep saying to myself.~~ And as soon as it warms up outside….I’ll be off to work in the yard!

Have a good week my friends. I’ll check in tomorrow!

Posted in Ramblings, random photos, Uncategorized | Tagged Birthday, new floors, vacation, What a Mess | 58 Comments

And it Feels Like it Might Be Hope

Posted on April 20, 2013 by stuffitellmysister

This song came to my mind a few minutes ago and now it will be in my head all day long. It’s my go to song for trying to find the “good” in things. Several years ago when I was living in Joplin, Missouri and my hubby was living near Tulsa, Oklahoma, well frankly….it got old. We lived that way for nearly a year, but I had a house to sell and he had a job to do. This song came on the radio on my way to work one morning. I was still singing it in my head when I received the phone call that said, “Your house just sold.”

Hope. In illness, in an unsettled world, in unemployment, in broken relationships, in financial hardship, in mental battles, in loss, in LIFE….Look out the window.

It Might Be Hope

By Sara Groves

you do your work the best that you can
you put one foot in front of the other
life comes in waves and makes its demands
you hold on as well as you’re able

you’ve been here for a long long time

hope has a way of turning its face to you
just when you least expect it
you walk in a room
you look out a window
and something there leaves you breathless
you say to yourself
it’s been a while since i felt this
but it feels like it might be hope

it’s hard to recall what blew out the flame
it’s been dark here since you can remember
you talk it all through to find it a name
as days go on by without number

you’ve been here for a long long time

It Might Be Hope ~ take a listen

Here’s to hope…..and being nice to people. You never know what they may be going through ♥

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged don't give up, Encouragement, hard times, hope, It Might Be hope, life, Look out the window, reflections, Sara Groves, struggles | 18 Comments

April 19, 1995 ~ May We Never Forget

Posted on April 18, 2013 by stuffitellmysister

April 19, 1995. The day that forever changed Oklahoma. We became a ball of fear, caution and grief. But at the same time we turned to each other for comfort. We leaned more on our faith. Hugged our children tighter. Loved our neighbors more. Oklahoma was on display for the world. That same world embraced us and became a smaller place. We became stronger.

The Survivor Tree~ a 90-year-old American Elm that was witness to the violence of April 19. “The spirit of this city and this nation will not be defeated; our deeply rooted faith sustains us.”